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Relative Newbie Seeks Amp Advice

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by TyKao, Jul 25, 2003.

  1. Jul 25, 2003 #1
    TyKao

    TyKao

    Jun 29, 2003
    My current Hartke 2115 combo isn't really cutting it anymore. It now seems really cold and brittle sounding. I've also had to replace the 15" driver 4 times due to various mishaps, some of which were my fault and some of which weren't. From the looks of it, it just couldn't take the Hartke 2000 head's volume past 3 (with my passive bass turned all the way up), so oftentimes I couldn't get to a good volume so I could hear myself over the mix without fearing that I'd destory the driver again.

    So, being that I don't have much else besides bass making me happy right now, I'd like to get a new setup. I would a speaker setup that's better able to cover a full range of sound so my tone sounds fuller. Lots of bottom like the 15", but more punch. Would a 2X12 be enough in that regard? I'm willing to get another cab in the future, but I need to start with just one cabinet right now and I'd like something to cover the fundamentals but still get heard.

    Also, I've been thinking about getting an Ampeg V4B-H head. I like the sound of a good, warm tube amp and the pricepoint of a used V4b-H is appealing. I'm just not sure if it's enough for my needs, being only 100 watts and all. I know tube amp can sound louder and wattage isn't everything, so now I'm just confused. It's not like I'm playing with a band when I'm in the music store either, so I can't tell when I try these things out. Can you guys suggest a minimum wattage for small clubs & auditoriums?

    If you guys need to know, I play a lot of rock, metal, hip-hop, punk & rather bad pop music (not by choice) so versatility counts for a lot.

    I'm sorry if this post is too long. I don't know what you guys need to know and what you don't. Thanks for all your help.
     
  2. Jul 25, 2003 #2
    adouglas

    adouglas

    Jun 23, 2003
    Bridgeport, CT
    There are others here FAR more qualified than I am to answer you, but I can contribute a little bit:

    I recently unloaded a bunch of gear and upgraded my rig. I had (still have, actually) a Tube Works 1x15 combo (no tweeter).

    I went with an Avatar B212 and a pre/power setup (SWR Grand Prix and Stewart 1.2). The new cab has WAY WAY more bottom than the old combo did, and an overall much better tone.

    BUT that's misleading. It's not just the size of the driver, it's the size of the cabinet, too. Combo amps are built for portability, which usually means that you're stuffing a driver into a cabinet too small for it. I don't know the volume of my combo's cabinet, but I can tell you that it couldn't reproduce my low B very well at all. Lots of LOUDNESS, but not much BOTTOM, if you know what I mean.

    So consider the actual response of the cabinet, not just the configuration.

    I'm really happy with the Avatar 212, but then it's the only 212 I've actually heard... and it's miles ahead of what I had been playing through.
     
  3. Jul 25, 2003 #3
    Mcrelly

    Mcrelly

    Jun 16, 2003
    Minnesota, USA
    Check out Aguilar GS112. not cheap, not most expensive, but apparently great sound and lots of bottom, especially with two of them!